Greek Orthodox Church

In December 2016, the first graduates of the newly established program Introduction to Muslim Studies, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, sat down to study Islam, an emerging world which, in one way or another (positive or negative), we find before us and must learn to "read," away from stereotypes and prejudices.

The Antioch Greek Orthodox Church brought Christians together in Turkey's Antakya for centuries until last year, when an earthquake killed dozens of them and sent hundreds more fleeing.

Though it now lies in ruins, many pray it will again bring them back.

Turkish authorities are reportedly moving ahead with the conversion of another Byzantine Greek Orthodox church into a mosque. The Chora Church in Istanbul will be open to Muslim worshippers for Friday prayers on February 23, according to a report in the Yeni Safak newspaper.

New Democracy MP Angelos Syrigos announced on Wednesday that he will abstain from voting on the government's same-sex marriage bill, which has faced objections from more conservative MPs and the influential Greek Orthodox Church.

The legal adviser to the Hierarchy of the Greek Church is reportedly drafting a letter that will be sent to lawmakers regarding the legal ramifications of same-sex marriage and, according to well-informed sources, it will be completed after the relevant government bill is made public.

The recent unanimous rejection by the influential Greek Church's governing Holy Synod of government plans to legalize same-sex marriage is perceived as a success for Archbishop Ieronymos in navigating the perennial antagonism between the more modernizing and conservative, at times obscurantist, factions within the Hierarchy.

A recent statement by Metropolitan Ieronymos, bishop of Athens and all Greece, regarding the baptism of children from same-sex couples has ignited a debate within the Greek Orthodox Church. Ieronymos declared that the church would baptize these children once they reach a certain age and express a desire for the sacrament.

The Hellenic Psychiatric Association has dismissed claims that homosexuality is a mental disorder.

In a statement issued Thursday, the association said it "stresses, explicitly and categorically, that homosexuality is not a mental illness."

The Greek Orthodox Church would agree to baptize children of same-sex couples, if they so desire, Archbishop Ieronymos, the leader of the influential Orthodox Church of Greece, said on Thursday.

With the ultimate aim to garner the vote of at least 120 lawmakers of ruling New Democracy when it reaches Parliament, the cabinet Wednesday approved the bill on same-sex marriage.

The draft legislation was submitted for public consultation until January 31, at 9 p.m. It will then be submitted to Parliament where lawmakers will vote on it on February 12.